As part of the on-going work to develop the culture of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Caroline Owens, pictured right, has joined the organisation as the new Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.
She will work alongside Trust leadership teams to support BSUH in becoming a more open and transparent place to work, where all staff are actively encouraged and enabled to speak up safely.
This new national role has three core elements: supporting the Trust to build an open and just culture where staff speaking up is the norm; assuring the processes in place when staff do speak up to ensure they are clear and effective; and working with staff to provide information and support with speaking up.
Prior to joining BSUH, Caroline had a long and varied career with the John Lewis Partnership which included working in a strategic role dedicated to bringing the voice of employees and independent insight into senior leadership.
Caroline is working closely with management and meeting as many staff as possible to understand how the role can best add value and support the Trust.